No Gym? No Problem! 4 Activities to Stay Fit While Social Distancing

It’s no secret that times are tough right now—they’re unprecedented, to say the least. The normalcy of our lives has been uprooted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Everything from our morning routines to our coffee runs to our gym times have been rerouted. Despite it all, we shouldn’t let all of our hard work fall by the wayside! There are so many activities to help us stay active and moving while social distancing.

Keeping active and exercising is not only beneficial to our own physical journeys to wellness, but it helps boost our immune systems as well. Harvard Health attributes exercise with improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, maintaining body weight and protecting against a variety of diseases by promoting good circulation. When we have good circulation, the cells and substances in our immune systems more easily move through our bodies, doing their job efficiently. So, although your social life is on hold right now, don’t put a pause on your health! It’s important to stay healthy now more than ever.

Stay fit and healthy while social distancing with these four home activities:

1. Home Workouts

You’ve probably been seeing home workouts and activities everywhere! It can even get overwhelming to sift through all the options. If your own gym is not offering online classes during this interim period, then Instagram might just become your best friend! Everyone from fitness influencers to celebrity trainers are offering free, online in-home workouts for people to safely do while social distancing. Jeanette Jenkins, owner and founder of The Hollywood Trainer fitness club, has trained a variety of stars and posts great workouts on her Instagram.

You can also peruse the Fitness section right here on The Palm Weight Loss Blog for a plethora of at-home, no-equipment workouts. Check out these Seven Full Body Moves You Can Do at Home and watch the easy-to-understand video that showcases the moves and the routine in full.

2. Spring Cleaning

Make even the most mundane task an opportunity to move! Whether it’s cleaning up after dinner, walking the dog, taking the trash out, folding and putting laundry away, these are all ways to get off the couch and away from that television screen. Don’t be afraid to turn on some tunes and dance to the music while you clean, too! Not only will this ensure you are moving, but a clean space is a great asset for mental health as well. According to Psychology Today, people who maintain clean homes tend to be healthier and more active. It’s a win-win!

3. Walking

Whether it’s a stroll on your work-from-home lunchbreak or a sunrise powerwalk, get up and go! According to the American Heart Association, walking positively impacts your health by lowering your chances of heart disease. It’s an easy activity that does not require specialty sneakers or gear. Bored? Go for a walk. Need some fresh air? Go for a walk. Talking on the phone? Walk and talk.

Want a more challenging workout? Add hiking to your list of spring activities and hit the trails. The different terrain will increase the intensity and the beautiful scenery will put you in a better mood. Reconnect with nature and spend some time hiking solo, with your pup or with the family for a fun and active adventure. Click here to learn more about the benefits of hiking. >

4. Gardening

Don’t have a green thumb? Kill every plant you’ve ever touched? No problem. You have all the time to harness that skill right now. Many home improvement stores are still open and sell plants to get your lush garden started. Not only will this get you moving outside, gardening is beneficial to health as well. According to the journal of Preventive Medicine Reports, gardening decreases stress, increases psychological wellbeing and cognitive function. It also increases our sense of community—something we all need right now! Not convinced on the many benefits of gardening? Check out these Six Reasons to Start a Garden While You’re Stuck at Home. >